My friends at Peoples Action for Clean Energy (PACE) have forwarded me a notice that Hollywood actor and green guy, Ed Begley, Jr. is coming to Connecticut.  Ed who is the host of the Discovery Channel’s Planet Green Living With Ed TV show will be the guest of honor later this month for an event at Aiki Farms in Ledyard.

Aiki Farms, is a traditional Aikido dojo located on an organic farm in Ledyard, CT. The dojo is affiliated with Birankai International (www.birankai.org) under the direction of T.K. Chiba, Shihan, a direct student of O-Sensei. For those of you like me who don’t know what a dojo is, according to Wikipedia, “dojo (dōjō?) is a Japanese term which literally means “place of the way.”  Initially, the dōjō was adjunct to temples. The term can refer to a formal training place for any of the Japanese do arts but typically it is considered the formal gathering place for students of any Japanese martial arts style to conduct training, examinations and other related encounters.

So in keeping with the mission of the dojo and according to the notice, the farm will host Ed, his electric car, hold a seminar on organic gardening, have a feast served by top chefs and provide guest with information on renewable energy. The event will take place on July 12, 11:00 am to 2 pm, and the farm is located at 769 Shewville Road in Ledyard.
 
If you are interested in attending, a donation of $40.00 per person and $20.00 for family members is suggested. Call 860 536 6407 or email ranchoaiki@aikifarms.com for reservations to a feast served by the chefs from some of the best area restaurants.

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What defines Hartford?  As a community that lives in the shadows and hype of Boston and New York City, Hartford’s image is not clear. And we never will become what the other two metropolitan areas are but recently Hartford has been creating a little green buzz and enhancing its image as an up and coming sustainable community.  Though maybe not as green as New York City or Boston, it does have green value.  Hartford can boast of having the only downtown circular hydrogen powered fuel cell bus in New England and downtown parking meters are powered by solar panels.  Hartford also has two tourist attractions that are registered with the U.S. Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED® program – the Mark Twain House Museum and the new Connecticut Science Center. But what would make Hartford really stand out and have a big-city impact is a BigBelly® or two.

A BigBelly is a public trash compactor that is self-powered, with solar panels running the compactor and it can hold five times the amount of trash as regular 35-gallon trash barrels. When the compactor is full, a sensor triggers the compactor to squash the waste down, and once it is completely full, a wireless system sends a signal that the unit needs to be emptied. The compactor also has collection bins for plastic bottles, newspapers, glass and other recyclables.

Cities such as Boston, New York City and Philadelphia have installed BigBellys.  In fact, for all you Red Sox fans, there’s a BigBelly outside Fenway Park.  What these cities have learned is that BigBellys can cut trash pickups by about 80 percent, reducing collection-related costs and fuel use. They also look pretty cool and birds and rodents can’t get at the trash inside them so you don’t have to worry about encountering a “critter” at a public trash can.

BigBellys do have a cost which is about $4,000 a piece and if you buy bulk, there is a discount.  So how do we bring BigBellys to Hartford and make it cost affective?  Here’s my suggestion. Maybe the City should reach out to one of the leading recycling companies in the country, Waste Management.  Why?  Because WM recently became the exclusive waste services distributor of BigBelly and has committed to providing the solar powered trash compactors to municipalities and high-traffic public areas like sporting events, busy intersections and public parks.  Might be time for someone in the mayor’s office to pick-up the phone and give WM a call.

Filed under: Green Attitudes, Recycling | No Comments »

So what are you doing the week of September 21?  If you are looking to be part of the discussions, gain knowledge and push for solutions to climate change, then New York City is the place you want to be.  That’s when world leaders, NGOs, businesses and thousands of individuals are expected to swarm the Big Apple and address the urgent need for action on climate change. Here’s what is happening based on a press release sent to me by a friend of the effort.

Today, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, and Paul Dickinson, CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, announced Climate Week NYC, a five-day program of events being held throughout New York City from September 21 – 25.

The Climate Group, an international organization that brings governments and businesses together to tackle climate change, will serve as the secretariat for the Climate Week NYC activities, which will focus on carbon emission reduction, alternative energy, LED lighting, super grids and the importance of the Midwest on the road to Copenhagen. As a member of the HSBC Climate Partnership, The Climate Group works with the City of New York and other World cities to accelerate low carbon development.

The event will coincide with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly. Mr. Ban announced that he is inviting all world leaders for a one-day summit on global climate change on September 22, a day before the opening of the general debate of the UN General Assembly. Over a hundred leaders are expected to participate and provide political impetus and direction to the ongoing intergovernmental negotiations to reach agreement on a new climate deal in Copenhagen in December.

Mr. Ban said, “We are far beyond the point of debate over whether climate change is real. I have seen the impacts of climate change first-hand. I have met families whose crops have been withered by droughts. Billions of people are at risk. Never before has there been such universal acknowledgement that now is the time for decisive action. And just as we have collectively contributed to the creation of this problem, we must also collectively implement solutions. I commend the Climate Group for creating a dynamic platform through which the public, organizations and private business can participate in this process in a direct and meaningful way.”

Mr. Ban is leading the UN’s “Seal the Deal” campaign to promote a successful outcome in Copenhagen.

In addition, The United Nations Foundation is a vital member of the Climate Week NYC team, working to connect a diverse array of advocacy groups with their counterparts in the UN system in order to jointly push for a new climate deal in Copenhagen.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “This fall, our city will be honored not only to host the annual UN General Assembly, but also to enthusiastically support Climate Week NYC and the summit on climate change on September 22. The summit will spotlight the urgent need for action, both to slow the pace of climate change, and also to adapt to the environmental effects of global warming that are already underway.”

The Climate Group is launching a Web site, www.climateweeknyc.org that will be updated regularly with details on descriptions, locations and times of events, and information on how the public can participate or attend. Some events will be coordinated directly by The Climate Group, while others will be organized by other partner organizations. Organizations that wish to have their events partnered with Climate Week NYC can call Callum Grieve at 646.233.0552, or e-mail him at cgrieve@theclimategroup.org.

Steve Howard, CEO of The Climate Group, said, “Influential US partnerships and smarter choices will be critical to tackling global warming and setting the world on a pathway to a prosperous low carbon future. As world leaders gather in New York, Climate Week NYC will let everyone know that the time for change is now.”

Paul Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Carbon Disclosure Project, which will launch the first event of Climate Week NYC, said, “Climate change is a global problem and we need a global solution. The world’s major companies are calling on governments to create incentives and regulation to support them in delivering low carbon solutions. Climate Week NYC will help connect corporations, investors, government and the consumer so we can work together to stop dangerous climate change.”

Raj Singh, Chief Risk Officer of Swiss Re, the founding sponsor of Climate Week NYC, said, “As a leading global reinsurer, Swiss Re is acutely aware of the risks associated with climate change. The insurance industry is increasingly affected by weather related losses which have grown from USD 5 billion per year in today’s money between 1970 and 1989, to USD 28 billion per year since then. Swiss Re is committed to finding practical solutions to assist society’s adaptation to climate change and manage the risks it faces. We are proud to be the founding sponsor of Climate Week NYC, a platform for dialogue among policy makers and to engage with the people of New York City.”

Partners of Climate Week NYC include the United Nations, the City of New York and the Carbon Disclosure Project.

Filed under: Carbon, Energy, Good Green Stuff | No Comments »

By Kyle Whitaker

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) hosted its third annual sustainability conference on Tuesday, June 16. Leaders from around the Nutmeg State—and beyond—convened in Hartford to discuss best-in-class sustainability initiatives and to assess how “green” practices are faring in these difficult economic times.

Here are two observations worth considering. First, interest in sustainability is alive and well in Connecticut, which I believe is good news for us all. Second, we still have a long way to go in terms of building dialogue around sustainability in our state.

Let me start with the good news first. Connecticut businesses—both small and large—seem to agree: despite the recession, sustainability remains a priority, if not a business imperative.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the CBIA’s 2009 Sustainability and Connecticut Business Survey, which features input from more than 380 local businesses—most of them small- and medium-sized. According to CBIA’s Pete Gioia and Jason Giulietti, who presented the results to a near-capacity crowd, business’ interest in sustainability has risen over the last three years. Of note, 73 percent of respondents engage in green/sustainable practices as of 2009, compared with 59 percent in 2008 and 47 percent in 2007. Furthermore, 70 percent responded that the recession has had no effect on their business or made green business practices a higher priority this year. Very encouraging, don’t you think?

Not to be outdone, several of Connecticut’s largest employers also demonstrated their commitments to sustainability. Among Tuesday’s presenters was Xerox’s Kevin Hamilton, Vice President of Tri-State Operations, who spoke with personal conviction about reducing the amount of waste associated with printing and related equipment. Mr. Hamilton encouraged attendees to “go digital” and print less whenever possible.  While this approach might seem counterintuitive to selling printers and copiers, it inspires trust and loyalty in the company that hopefully will keep customers returning time and again.

What I found most impressive about Mr. Hamilton’s presentation, however, was his willingness to engage with and relate to the audience. He simply went the extra mile—thanking the audience for their business, stressing Xerox’s commitment to help customers find the most efficient and sustainable solutions on an individual basis, and encouraging attendees to challenge the company to become even more sustainable. To my mind, this notion of dialogue and transparency is critical to sustainability. And it brings me to my second point.

We, as business leaders committed to sustainability, must continue to build the dialogue around sustainability within our state. This is not a “nice-to-have” but a critical responsibility, if Connecticut businesses are to flourish in the next 10 to 20 years.

With whom should we be engaging? Our younger employees and recent graduates would be a great place to start. Statistics already show that, since 2000, Connecticut is losing 25- to 34-year old residents faster than any other state in the union (source). Let me add that this demographic seemed conspicuously absent from Tuesday’s event.

This observation—if correct—does not bode well for Connecticut businesses, but we can reverse the trend. As many of you know, sustainability is a valuable recruiting and retention tool. A 2008 survey found that 49 percent of MBA students rated social responsibility as either “extremely important” or “very important” to choosing their job (source). So, please seize this opportunity and use sustainability to lure more young people back to the state.

How can we improve our level of engagement? Baby steps. For starters, I want to challenge those of you who attended Tuesday’s event to take that experience and knowledge back to your places of work. Find new ways to emulate successful “green” practices and incorporate sustainability further into your business. Second, send some of your junior employees to the next sustainability conference that CBIA hosts. You might be pleasantly surprised by what they take away from the experience. And third, get involved in sustainability conversations outside of your 9-5 jobs. Groups like the CT Emerging Green Builders and Net Impact, which recently launched a professional chapter in the New Haven area, are helping to bridge the divide between Connecticut businesses and young professionals who are interested in sustainability.

In sum, the possibilities to dialogue and engagement are endless. The question is: how can you do your part?
Kyle Whitaker is a Principal at Framework:CR, a sustainability strategy and communications consultancy based in Wilton, Connecticut. In addition to his core consulting work, Kyle oversees the firm’s strategic research and product development efforts and writes frequently for Ethical Corporation magazine. Prior to joining Framework:CR, Kyle worked for Innovest Strategic Value Advisors in New York City. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Wake Forest University.

Filed under: Corporate Responsibility, Energy, Green Business, Green Manufacturing, Green Technology | No Comments »

Our friend and colleague, Joseph Galiatsatos of Green Monster eCycling, sent me the following update on a new E-waste law that starts next month.

In July of 2007, Governor Rell signed into law “An Act Concerning the Collection and Recycling of Covered Electronic Devices”. This law enables Connecticut to manage a portion of the solid waste stream. On and after July 1, 2009, under the new E-waste law, residents will have convenient and free opportunities to recycle their computers, televisions, monitors and other electronic waste.
 
Municipalities
 
• When the law takes affect, municipalities will be required provide for the collection of household-generated covered electronic devices or CEDs.  Municipalities may meet this requirement by working on their own or in conjunction with other towns in a region.
• Municipalities will be required to educate their residents on the specifics of how to participate in the program. 
• Collection opportunities must give priority to convenience and accessibility.
• Municipalities may not charge a fee to households bringing in seven or fewer CEDs.  The e-waste law requires the manufacturer not the municipality to bear the cost for recycling CEDs.
• Each municipality or regional authority will be required to arrange for the transportation of collected CEDs to a covered electronic recycler
• Municipalities must submit a plan indicating how they will provide convenient and accessible collections for their residents.

Manufacturers

• Each electronics manufacturer will participate in the state-wide electronics recycling program established to implement and finance the collection, transportation and recycling of covered electronic devices or CEDs, and may participate in a private electronics recycling program.
• State-wide electronics recycling program for the recycling of CRT-based and non-CRT based televisions shall be funded by allocating the cost of the program among the manufacturers selling televisions in the state based on a sliding scale that is representative of the manufacturer’s market share of televisions in the state. Market share information shall be based upon available national market share data.

Recyclers

• Recyclers must apply to the state to become an approved recycler.
• Approved recyclers are authorized to bill manufacturers for eligible costs.
• Approved recyclers must comply with management standards established by the DEP.
• Cooperate with municipalities or regional authorities to provide for the collection and transportation of CEDs.
• Maintain a written log that identifies responsible manufacturers by recording the brand and weight of each CED delivered to a covered electronic recycler and identified upon receipt as generated by a household in the state.

Joseph Galiatsatos is the Owner and Operator of Green Monster E-cycling in West Hartford, CT. Joe’s interest in the environment has been a lifelong journey; he’s an outdoorsman, an avid fisherman and a soccer coach. Last year, Joe founded Green Monster E-cycling, a licensed and approved electronics recycling center.  Green Monster has grown with the times and provides recycling services to residents, businesses and municipalities throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. Joe has presented lectures on e-cycling at local schools and community organizations. Green Monster has been featured on WGBY public television’s ‘Making It Here’ as well as local network newscasts. Joe resides in West Hartford with his daughters, Alexis and Athina.

Green Monster E-cycling
150 Brook Street
West Hartford, CT 06110
860-816-2281  
greenmonsterecycling.com

Filed under: Green Business, Recycling, eWaste | 1 Comment »

Earlier this week I looked at several small to mid-sized firms that had developed green business strategies in the new economy.  Since then, I have heard from and read about several other businesses that have made news with a new green product, process or project.  So what gives? Why the sudden increase in green business news items?  My guess, most of the increase comes from companies ramping up for the race for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.  There’s huge opportunity because the state’s economy relies mostly on manufacturing, financial/real estate services and health care services, all industries targeted by ARRA. So, here are some more good stories. 

Ray H. Morris & Co., a New Britain distributor of parts and tooling for screw machines, lathes, and milling machines for more than 60 years, has jumped into the green game.  Morris has developed pipe technology for heating and cooling, specifically through geothermal heat exchange.  The company is looking closely at how it can increase revenues by offering a new product that feeds into ARRA supply chain. Their strategy is that with stimulus funds, tax credits and DOE grants funding the advancement of geothermal installations, there will be a strong demand for pipes.

Stonington-based Yardney Technical Products Inc. has announced it is teaming with California-based Coda Automotive in a joint venture called Coda Battery Systems LLC to design, manufacture, and sell automotive grade, lithium-ion battery power systems, according to Yradney’s president in an article in the Journal Inquirer. The new company is applying for ARRA funds to help construct a plant at the old Lego facility in Enfield. 

Alteris Renewables, which has erected more than 2,250 solar PV systems in the Northeast, announced this week it has bought most of Renewable Power Systems’ assets in upstate New York. The acquisition gives Wilton, Conn.-based Alteris a greater presence in New York and more scale to handle the increase in activity due to ARRA commitment to invest in solar energy installations and product development.

Last November, the state’s quasi-public investment agency, Connecticut Innovations, established a fund to promote companies involved in innovative ways to conserve energy and resources, protect the environment or eliminate harmful waste. This week, Governor Rell announced that Oil Purification Systems of Shelton is the first company to receive funding from the Connecticut Clean Tech Fund. OPS has developed an onboard fluid cleaning system for removing solid and liquid contaminants from engine oil, which it claims virtually eliminates the need for routine oil changes.

Filed under: Energy, Green Business, Green Manufacturing, Green Technology | No Comments »